Chakras – seven Hindu energy centers of the body, beginning at the base of the spine to the top of the head,that assist us in our flow thru life. The theory is that “balanced” Chakras lead to a balanced, fully expressed life experience = good health. Expressions such as, “cleansing” or “unblocking” refers to re aligning ourselves with what our bodies are telling us. Interesting.

(There are many online sites that provide ‘how to”s.)

Below are the 7 Chakra points with their energy centers, colors and gemstones:

1- Root: Base of the spine (survival issues)/ Red – Garnet

2- Spleen: Below the navel (emotions) /Orange- Carnelian

3- Solar Plexus: Above the navel (our energy center)/Yellow – Citrine

4- Heart: Chest (Love for others)/ Green – Aventurine

5- Throat: Base of the throat (inner voice) / Blue – Turquoise

6- Brow: Third eye (knowing) / Blue Indigo- Lapis

7- Crown: Top of head (healing energy) / Purple – Amethyst

BTW: While traveling in Egypt, our esteemed guide shared that the 7 Chakras correspond to some of the Sacred Temples along the Nile:

If preparing for the unexpected makes you nervous, just think of the fun you can have. Beginning Saturday, 12/3/16, the Aquarius Moon gives us an opportunity to let go of convention, do some “out of the box” thinking, focus on the welfare of others and be a little rebellious.

Air sign Aquarius has a stubborn streak (it is one of three “Fixed” signs of the Zodiac, along with Taurus and Scorpio) and is ruled by the unpredictable planet Uranus. It’s all about independence, sudden changes of direction, etc. Relax, go with the flow. Give more attention to another Aquarian trait which is contributing to the universe in some way. Groups, other people and their causes are a natural concern. Not a bad way to spend a weekend – be spontaneous, share yourself !

This has been a rocky month so far. We can use a “pick-me-up”. The Sun prances into the adventurous, optimistic Fire sign Sagittarius on Monday November 21, 2016. Ruled by exuberant Jupiter, the king of positive thinking, everything is “huge”- ideas, actions, themes. Remember to pause occasionally and look over the landscape – not only to enjoy the view, but also to realize that some of those “sure things” are not. The “go BIG or go home” routine will not always work to your advantage. Certainly be an “of course” for excellent results, reach for the good things, discover something new, pay attention to your intuition (Sagittarians love a good laugh but they are also deep and love to ponder the universe.) but, just be aware of the edges – over confidence can send you too far. Aim for controlled excess.

Just to make it more interesting, Saturn, planet of discipline and limits, which is quite different to Jupiter‘s goal (expansion on steroids), has been transiting the 9th sign of the Zodiac since last December. Depending on where it appears in your chart, the desire for adventure may be muted, wings may feel clipped, the pace of life seems to slow down. We can still fly, but maybe not so high. Saturn remains in Sagittarius until December 2017.

Looking beautiful, feeling stubborn and being material? It might be the vibrations of the Taurus Full Moon on Monday. This is a fixed, finance focused Earth sign guided by the elegant, luxury loving planet Venus. Whatever vibes are out there can all be put to good use. Indulge the sensual side while monitoring investments. Share chocolate covered strawberries with a significant other while tallying the checkbook at the same time. It’s possible 😎

As always with a “Full” Moon, it’s a good time to finish what you’ve started. With the grounded Taurus influence, it makes sense to complete any financial dealings and/or improvements to surroundings – beauty, comfort and safety. What do you value most? Who do you need to be – to do what you want and have what you desire?

From super sensitive, delicate feelings one day to a “You want a piece a me?” attitude the next, your “mood” may be the Lunar orb’s fault. The Moon affects our subconscious (the Sun = conscious) and as it moves thru the 12 signs of the Zodiac, about 2 ½ days in each sign, our moods and feelings can change according to the characteristics of each sign. It can make us susceptible to the emotions, undercurrents, vibrations that surround us and influence how we act / react during a day. (Whenever I write something like this, I hope no one gets visions of those Full Moon = Werewolf movies)

Not everyone is affected by Moon transits all the time, or in the same way. Sometimes the mood won’t be picked up on. There are always additional planet activity in a chart creating other energy. Often, there is so much going on in a life, time isn’t taken to notice that because the Moon is in Gemini people get way too chatty, or if the Moon is in Capricorn, too many want to take charge of a work project and boss everyone around. If you don’t “feel” the difference, don’t worry about it – your subconscious is still doing something 🙂

The Moon in Zodiac Signs:

Aries: Volatile, can be quick to confront, high energy

Taurus: Solid, sensual, stubborn, money focus

Gemini: Master of multi-task, communication, clever

Cancer: Nurturer, emotional, family concerns (ruled by the Moon)

Leo: Fun with melodrama, creative, generous

Virgo: Health, work, details, responsible

Libra: Social, good time to re decorate (home or self), relationships rule

Just about everyone knows their Astrology Sun Sign based upon their date of birth. But there are also certain gemstones and colors that express each sign. (The gems listed next to the Sun Signs below may differ from the traditional “Birth Month” stone that you’re used to.)

Yes, this can all just be a great excuse to buy a lovely rock for the jewelry collection and add some colorful finery to your wardrobe – but, it can also be used as a way to have fun while fully expressing your power. Let yourself glow!

On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the Scorpio Sun will want to infuse us with passion and focus to get projects accomplished, snare that love interest and drill down thru any mysteries that need to be solved. (Think “determination”) Due to the characteristic sensitivity and emotionality of this Water sign, Scorpio’s power will not be served distant and cold – there will be drama, there will be depth, the time is ripe for revelation. Stubborn, secretive, serious, sensual, sizzling – these adjectives all fit Scorpio to a T (or in this case, to an “S”).

Where does intense Scorpio, its traditional planet ruler Mars (energy and aggression) and its modern ruler Pluto (power and transformation), appear in your chart – Sun sign, Ascendant, Moon? Regardless of the House placement, the 8th sign of the Zodiac can uncover deeper feelings for us all. Superficial skimming the surface, in conversation or action, just won’t do. When confronted with an issue, there will only be an apparent yes or a no response – compromise is out of the question. Unlike under a Libra Sun, where decision making can be tortuous, it is black or white with Scorpio, no shades of grey. “Maybe” is not acceptable.

Mercury, the Communication planet, will be transiting Scorpio from 10/24 – 11/13/16. Interactions can be easily heated and more demanding than usual. Be focused and as clear as possible regardless of how deep the vat of emotion. Paint inside the lines to avoid unnecessary confusion and / or hurt feelings. You may get all wrapped up in reacting or acting out and then discover that the “overwhelm” does not quite match the situation. Pausing doesn’t lessen importance, but it can be used as a time out to bring things into perspective and to lighten the atmosphere.

October 15th and 16th (West / East) delivers a brilliant, Full Moon in Aries, the 1st sign of the Zodiac. Ruled by “Warrior” planet Mars, combustible, aggressive, spark plug Aries’ usual “in your face” posture may be influenced by transiting Uranus, the unpredictable planet of change and revolution. (It remains until May 2018.) Remember, you can be radical, honest and direct, rather than just loud and angry.

Do the suggested Full Moon things – finish up old projects, clarify any fuzzy ideas that are hanging around. Use the extra Aries energy to get things done. By clearing out useless stuff, you create space for the new. However, this forceful Fire sign can be a little over the top sometimes. Don’t torch everything while trying to weed out the old, think things through before the ashes start to pile too high.

We are NOT one dimensional – we have Astrological layers! There are 12 signs of the Zodiac. In addition to the characteristics that are assigned to a Sun sign, each will also have traits of one of 4 Elements – Air, Fire, Water, Earth and exhibit the behaviors of one of 3 personality types (modes) – Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable.

The attributes that are associated with these Elements and Modes add depth to the personality of our Sun sign.

Our Zodiac Sun Signs have their colors, their birth stones and their personality traits. According to traditional Astrology, they also have jurisdiction over particular parts of our anatomy:

Aries: Head / Face (“Head strong”)

Taurus: Neck (A sore throat can really be a problem for a truth talking Bull)

Gemini: Hands, arms (“Twins” people talk with their hands a lot)

Cancer: Breasts (Of course the nurturer)

Leo: Heart (…of a lion!)

Virgo: Bowels (Cleansing the system for good health)

Libra: Kidneys (Balancing the body fluids)

Scorpio: Reproductive system (No more needs to be said)

Sagittarius: Hips, liver (Sag’s symbol is always a centaur with a wine pouch?)

Capricorn: Skeletal structure (bones, bones, bones…)

Aquarius: Legs (Support for all those spontaneous moves)

Pisces: Feet (Pedicures are a good thing)

The ancients thought that those parts of the body ruled by your Sun Sign were particularly sensitive and vulnerable. Perhaps. But I do think we need to take care of them regardless and listen when they speak and tell us something is out of whack.